Neville's Guardian - Year 2 by Sharpe34
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Neville's Guardian - Year 2: Chapter 1 - Friends and Relatives:
Dae rubbed his aching eyes. While grateful for the ability to see clearly once more, the glare was giving him a migraine.
He sank deeper into the seat of the taxi, and pulled the wide brim of his new Bolero Hat lower to shield his eyes more.
Yumiko wasn't kidding, he loved the wide flat brimmed black hat. The almost invisible wards woven into the brim gave it a shimmering effect as he moved in the light. For the first time in over a year, he could feel the gentle push at his mental wards from the curses laid onto Hogwarts.
So subtle, he was sure no one working there, not even the Elves, were aware of it. He had said to the Potter boy he would have to come to the Cauldron for summer classes, and then never wondered why he hadn't. Neville stared blankly at Dae after he donned the hat and was asked why they never gone and gotten the young Potter for a break from his relatives.
Dae's hand's slipped into the new duster coat's over-sized pockets and fingered the toys Yumiko had supplied to supplement his own skills and weapons. Two combat-black Smith and Wesson Model 57 revolvers, loaded with .41 magnum rounds, one in each pocket, four speed loaders, filled with a mixture of Cursed and Blessed ammunition. Two collapsible combat batons, and 50 cased throwing spikes made from fulgurites. Dae shifted his shoulders and the canvas duster with a triple mantle, moved with him. It was the color of dried blood, and so spell-woven it was actually semi-alive. It had leather straps around his wrists, biceps, and over-sized buttons that opened and closed on their own. There were even loops inside the long wide panels just under the slits for the pockets, for his sabers to hang in so they could be drawn either through the pockets, or if the front was folded back and fastened, speed drawn like an Old West gunfighter.
He rocked his head from side to side, feeling the throwing spikes hidden in the layers of the mantle. "Damn Yumiko, am I hunting evil wizards, or the whole flarking Zakuul Armada?" He sighed and rubbed his eyes for what felt like the 50th or maybe the 150th time.
Dae knew he was getting pissy because of the fight that was sure to break out when he, Neville and Violet got home. He was a fool for taking off as he had and not letting Rika know what he was doing. But that wasn't what was going to set her off.
Neville.
He had taken her son to America, and gotten him tortured. Brutally. Dae's head bounced off the side window of the taxi some more. He kept gently pounding his head against the glass in frustration. He would blame the compulsion spells, but, he never lied to Rika. His eyes met the driver's and the older man cleared his throat. "Sir, not that it's any of my business, but... you seem to be hav'n a spot of bother about your eyes. You came out of the International terminal, so... America for cataract surgery? I only ask because you keep rubbing your eyes and seem to be in some distress." The old man smiled and swerved the taxi through traffic with a skill that Dae found remarkable.
"Yeah, surgery, and picking my daughter up for school here. We're from America," Dae smiled a little. It was an effort, but the old man seemed nice enough.
The old driver looked pained for a moment. "From America? I'm sorry." He changed lanes several times as Dae let the statement sink in. For the first time in what seemed like ages, he smiled. This was why he liked Earth, these people were awesome. "You know if you would like, my niece's boy is one of those S.A.S. shooters, he's off playing in that sandbox, but he sent me something for my eyes after I had my cataracts done." The old man passed back a slim pair of sunglasses. Dae was about to reject them, when he noticed the lenses were glass and not plastic. Also, they had small circular lenses and tinted golden yellow, not the bug blue or green that was so common. "Those Service boys call them "Shooter's Glasses". They cut the glare way down, are hard to scratch, and the yellow lenses allow you to wear them even inside or in low light. A gift, for an American smart enough to bring his cute daughter here for school." The old man watched as Dae took the glasses and slipped them on. He grinned as the tall American sighed in instant relief.
"Thank you, sir," Dae said honestly touched by the gesture.
The old man laughed softly and pulled over at the Muggle entrance to the Cauldron. "Just remember to tip generously," the driver chuckled.
Violet and Neville had already piled out of the cab and grabbed the bags from the trunk. Dae slipped out and moved to the driver's door. "I always do. I may need a larger van in a few hours. Is there a service you would recommend?" Dae keep looking into the old man's eyes as he pealed off ten 50 pound notes.
"This here's the number to my company, if you give them a little notice, I can have a van here for you in less than an hour." The old man stared at the stack of notes.
Dae stared off into space for a little bit then nodded. He took the card and slipped it into his pocket, while passing over the stack. "Tonight, be here at half past four. Make sure you have full tanks of fuel, this could be a long night for us all." Dae looked thoughtful for a moment. "Will there be a problem if my student brings his pet owl? He won't be parted from it."
The old man shook his head. "Bahh, I'll chuck some papers on the floor in the back, it'll be fine." The two men shook hands and the taxi pulled away.
.o0o.
Mrs. Weasley stepped out of the floo and moved quickly to the side. Ginny and Ron appeared a few seconds later, following her exit. They were a contrast in attitudes. Ginny was excited, looking forward to any chance to move about in the big city, while Ron had such a sour look on his face it was obvious he didn't want to help transport the baskets of bread, rolls and biscuits for his mother. His eyes flicked around the Cauldron, and he winced when he saw Hermione. She was in jeans and a T-shirt, and was coated with bruises from wrists to shoulders. She also had a funky looking pistol snugged into the back of her waistband and her wand tucked into a modified sheath on her hip.
Hermione looked flustered. She was turning from side to side, wringing her hands and watching Rika. Ron followed her gaze and flinched. Rika was moving fast to the main entrance, looking pissed. Ron almost called out to Neville when he saw him enter, then froze. Neville and Dae had an extremely cute girl with short shaggy purple hair with them, and they all looked like they had all been run over by a truck.
Several times.
Everyone in the common room groaned at the sound of Dae's nose as it was smashed by Rika's punch.
"Lying, stupid, asshole SITH!" Rika screamed, as she pulled Neville behind her. She was shaking her hand, trying to get the feeling back into it after hitting Dae so hard. Her head turned and she looked at the girl between Dae and Neville. "You're Violet? I'm your new mom. Call me Rika, or mom, or whatever makes you comfortable... call that jerk..." her foot lashed out and kicked the sole of Dae's boot, "Dae, or Lying Ass. I guess you could call him dad too, if you're desperate."
Coming soon, Neville's Guardian - Year 2 - Chapter 2: Trespassers will be violated.